Refuse container   

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/340,638, entitled “Improved Refuse Container”, filed Mar. 16, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Refuse barrels or other refuse containers of various size and shape are used widely to collect rubbish, trash and garbage before being picked up by a disposal service. Such containers are typically placed outdoors in commercial or residential areas where the odors of discarded food products frequently attract various animals, including vermin and pests.

Animals frequently gain access to the contents of some such containers, even in urban and suburban areas, by, for example, toppling them and causing the covers to pop open and the contents to spill. The resulting mess frequently attracts more animals and pests. Since these containers, or at least their covers, are commonly made of plastic, animals may also gain access to the contents by chewing holes through the container walls or covers and thus damaging them. U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,393, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses the use of a trash bag with a quantity of animal repellent secured to the interior of the bag. During use, the repellent is typically in a bag full of refuse. Placing the repellent in the plastic trash bag limits the amount of the repellent that reaches the exterior of the refuse container. Since the mass of refuse placed within the bag is typically much greater than the mass of repellent, any repellent scent that escapes the trash bag is necessarily diluted by other scents in the bag and is, therefore, less effective. Placing such repellents or deodorants inside trash bags may result in them being covered by refuse when the container is partially or completely full. Under such circumstances, the effectiveness of repellents or deodorants may be hindered or eliminated completely.

Such bags are typically shipped and sold in rolls containing many bags. The mass of repellent tucked in folded bags would interfere with the process of rolling them up. Since the particular repellent used with such bags must be preselected, they cannot be tailored to specific applications or locations by using the most effective repellent for a particular location. Repellents prepacked with bags may also lose potency over time and may, therefore, have a limited shelf life.

Wild animals foraging for food in refuse containers in populated areas may lose their fear of humans, which can be problematic. It can lead to increased attacks on people, children, and pets as well as injury to wild animals. It can also lead to the spread of diseases, such as rabies.

SUMMARY

Animals are typically attracted to the odor of discarded food. Since refuse containers are typically not airtight, sufficient such odors frequently escape from refuse containers to attract animals.

Various repellents can be used to drive away animals that forage for food in refuse containers. These repellents are typically specific to an animal or group of animals. Some repellents include the scent of a predator that the animal has a natural fear of. For example, products by Shake-Away in Hamden, Conn., can be used to repel various types of animals such as raccoons, skunks and squirrels. Alternatively, products such as deodorants can be used to mask the odors of discarded food so that they no longer attract animals. Products such as mothballs may be used to mask the smell of discarded food products.

It is an object of this invention to secure a receptacle such as, for example, a box, bag or pouch to a refuse container. The receptacle can be used to securely hold repellents or deodorants. The receptacle may be attached permanently or temporarily to the refuse container. A refuse container typically comprises a substantially cylindrical body, a barrel, and a lid or cover, although containers of other shapes may also be used. The lid of a refuse container may be separate from or attached to the body of the container. Alternatively a receptacle may be attached to buildings, fences or posts. It is preferred that the receptacle have openings that allow scent emanating from materials placed in the receptacle to diffuse out while limiting access, to the contents of the receptacle, by young children, pets, or wild animals. The receptacle may be attached to the interior of the refuse container or to its exterior. It is preferred that the receptacle openings be exposed to the exterior of the refuse container so that the scent of the repellent is dispersed preferentially outside the refuse container compared to the scent of the contents of the refuse container. The receptacle may be incorporated during the manufacturing process into the structure of the refuse container or cover, for example, by molding the receptacle as a part of such components. Alternatively, these receptacles may be attached permanently by devices such, for example, as screws or rivets or attached so that they may be easily removed, for example, by hooks, ties, bolts, snap connectors, straps, belts, buttons, Velcro or zippers. Alternatively the receptacle may be attached to various sections of the refuse container or other objects by using adhesives or sticky tape.

It is another object of this invention to configure a receptacle to have an adjustable cover that can be used to vary the size of the receptacle opening in order to regulate the rate at which the scent is allowed to emanate from the receptacle. The adjustable cover may also be used to close off the receptacle when desired.

It is a further object of this invention to configure a receptacle with an opening designed so that it can be conveniently emptied, cleaned and refilled with repellent or deodorant.

It is yet another object of this invention that a receptacle is configured to store deodorants or repellents in one or more of several forms, for example, powders, solids, shavings, or liquids. Sponges, cotton balls or other absorbent materials impregnated with various repellents or deodorizers may also be placed in such a receptacle.

It is yet another object of this invention to configure a receptacle, for holding repellents or deodorants, that can be attached or otherwise secured to other structures, such as walls, fences, or posts, for example in the vicinity of where the refuse containers are kept.

It is a further object of this invention that a receptacle for holding a repellent or deodorant is sealed in a discardable receptacle. Such a receptacle is pre-filled with an amount of repellent or deodorant and is configured to be conveniently attachable to any desired surface or object including the interior or exterior of a refuse container.

It is preferred that receptacles be configured to be water resistant and resistant to weather including rain, snow, direct sunshine, heat and wind.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic of an embodiment of a refuse container, with a separate lid configured according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic of a refuse container, with a separate lid, configured according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic of an aspect of the lid of the embodiment in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic of another aspect of the lid in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic of another aspect of the lid in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic of a refuse container with two receptacles configured according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7a show a schematic of a refuse container configured according to a further embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7b shows another schematic of a refuse container configured according to still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7c shows a schematic of refuse container lid configured according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic of a receptacle configured according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic of a receptacle configured according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 shows a schematic of a discardable receptacle configured according to still another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic of a receptacle configured according to yet a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows the schematic of refuse container 1 with lid 2 and barrel 2a. The lid comprises a hub 3, a receptacle within the hub, a receptacle cover 4, and one or more holes 5. The holes may be used to disperse materials contained in the receptacle to the environment. The cover 4 may be removed to gain access to the interior volume of the receptacle.

FIG. 2a shows a similar refuse container to that shown in FIG. 1, but with one or more dispersal holes 6 located at the rim of the lid. Hub 3 may be configured with a receptacle with cover 4. A centrally located hub comprising the receptacle is preferred, although the receptacle may be located at any convenient location on the lid.

FIG. 2b shows a schematic of the bottom view of the structure of the lid of the embodiment in FIG. 2a. The bottom of the hub 11, which includes a receptacle and is connected to an outer ring 12 by one or more channels or conduits 13 which can transfer material from the receptacle to one or more holes (not shown) located at the periphery of the outer ring 12. FIG. 2c shows a schematic of a section view of the lid in FIG. 2b. Hub 11 is connected to the peripheral annular ring 12 with channels 13.

FIG. 3a shows a schematic of a side view of the lid for a refuse barrel, such as barrel 2a shown in FIG. 2a, configured with one or more peripheral holes 21 and hub 22. The hub may be configured with a removable cover for access for filling or cleaning the receptacle volume. The receptacle access cover may, for example, be located at the bottom or top of the hub and may be secured to the hub by any convenient mechanism, for example threads, screws and nuts, snaps or by using frictional interference fit.

FIG. 3b shows a schematic of a section view of the lid in FIG. 3a. The interior volume of the receptacle 23 is connected to the volume within the peripheral annular ring 24 by the volume within one or more channels 25. One of more holes 21 are used to disperse material placed in the receptacle 23 to the surrounding environment.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic of a section of the inner structure of the hub 3 shown in FIG. 2b. The hub 30 in FIG. 4 is connected to the lid 32 by any convenient manner including, for example, with adhesives, by bonding the pieces thermally, by molding the hub and the rim in one piece, or by using connecting screws, rivets or other attachment techniques.

The conduits 33 may also be connected to the lid by any convenient manner or molded in one piece with the lid. The hub 30 may contain a groove 34 that can receive the narrow lip of a cover. The flexible nib 35 may be used to allow the cover lip to snap into and be retained in the groove. Also shown is the connection hole 36 between inner receptacle volume 31 and the interior volume of a conduit.

FIG. 5a shows a schematic of a cover 40 with a narrow lip 41 configured to snap into groove 34 in FIG. 4. The cover may have a cylindrical extension 42 with openings 43. Openings 43 may be aligned with openings at the inner ends of channels 36 in FIG. 4 where they connect to the receptacle. By rotating the cover 41, the ends of channels 36 may be partially or fully blocked thus regulating the dispersion of the contents within the receptacle. FIG. 5b shows a schematic of the top view of the cover. Handle 44 may be used to rotate the cover 41 or to extract the lip from groove 34, shown in FIG. 4, by pulling on the handle.

FIG. 6a shows a schematic of a further embodiment of a refuse container 45 with an approximately cylindrical barrel shaped body 46 and lid 47. A meshed semi-circular opening 48 is located below container handle 49. The meshed opening allows scent from animal repellents or deodorants contained in a receptacle to diffuse out into the surroundings. The semi-circular cover 50 may be rotated about a central pivot to regulate or stop diffusion of repellents or deodorants through opening 48, shown in FIG. 6a, by partially or fully blocking it. FIG. 6b shows the top view of the barrel shaped body 46 and two receptacles 51 located behind opening 48 on two opposing sides of the refuse container. Section of the refuse container shown in FIG. 6c illustrates the structure of the receptacles 51. Cover 52 of each receptacle is used to gain access to the inner volume 52a of each of the receptacles to, for example, replenish repellent or deodorant material. Handle 49 of the refuse container also serves to deflect rain water away from the mesh covered opening 48.

FIG. 7a shows a schematic of a refuse container 53, configured according to yet another embodiment of the invention. A mesh covered opening 54 is used to allow material to disperse from a receptacle within the refuse container, in the interior of the refuse barrel, to the surroundings. A slidable cover 55 may be moved upwardly or downwardly to vary the amount of the meshed opening that is exposed. FIG. 7b shows a schematic of yet another embodiment configured according to the invention with a receptacle 56 attached to the inner surface of a barrel shaped body of a refuse container. A cover 57 may be used to vary the exposed mesh surface 58 by sliding it upwardly or downwardly. FIG. 7c shows a schematic of a further embodiment of a lid with a receptacle 59 attached to its inside surface. The embodiments in FIGS. 7b and 7c disperse the material contained in the receptacle to the interior of the refuse container.

FIG. 8 shows a schematic of a receptacle 61, configured according to an embodiment of the invention, made of flexible material with a mesh covered opening 62. The receptacle may be attached to a refuse container of any convenient shape at any convenient interior or exterior position. Holes 63 may be used to attach the receptacle by using any convenient attachment devices, for example, screws, hooks, ties or snaps. A zippered opening 64 may be used to add or remove material from the receptacle. Alternatively, the receptacle may be attached to any convenient structure such as, for example, a wall, fence or post. It is preferred that such structures be in the vicinity of the refuse container.

FIG. 9a shows a schematic of yet another receptacle 71, configured according an embodiment of the invention, that may be removably attached to a refuse container using a strap 72. The strap is preferably rigid and made of a convenient metal. A perforated opening 73 is utilized for dispersing repellents and deodorants. Slide door 74 and handle 75 may be used to vary the size of the perforated opening. An access door 76 may be used to empty or refill or clean the receptacle.

FIG. 9b illustrates the receptacle in FIG. 9a mounted on the interior surface of the barrel of a refuse container. A cross section of the barrel wall 77 is shown. The receptacle is removably attached to the barrel wall 77 by means of bolt 77a and nuts 77b and 77c. Alternative mounting configurations are shown in FIGS. 9c and 9d. In FIG. 9c, the receptacle is mounted on the interior of the refuse container wall and in FIG. 9d it is mounted on the exterior. Bolts 77d and 77e are used to removably attach the receptacle to the barrel, but do not penetrate the barrel wall 77. The strap 72 is preferably thin enough so that it does not prevent the lid from seating satisfactorily about the rim 78 of the barrel.

FIG. 10a is a schematic which shows a yet further embodiment of a receptacle configured according to the invention. It is a prepackaged disposable receptacle 81 containing a repellent or deodorant. A holder 82 that can receive the receptacle 81 may be affixed to the inner surface or outer surface of the refuse container or any other convenient surface. The receptacle 81 may be attached to the holder by, for example, inserting the backing board 83 into slots 84 in the holder. The receptacle may also be attached to the holder by using other devices such as, for example, Velcro or peel and stick strips. Alternatively, the receptacle may be attached directly to the refuse container surfaces or surfaces of nearby structures without using holder 82. FIG. 10b shows the bottom view of receptacle 81 with perforations. Perforations are preferably positioned so that the contents are protected from, for example, rain and snow.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic of still another embodiment of a receptacle according to the invention. Receptacle 91 is comprised of a mesh covered opening 92 which is protected from, for example, inclement weather by shield 93. Straps 94 and 95 and buckle 96 may be used to attach the receptacle to a refuse container or any other convenient object such as a gutter downspout or fence post. Receptacle 91 may be filled with repellents for various animals such as, for example, raccoons, deer, skunks, or squirrels. It may be used to repel animals from various objects and locations, such as, for example, refuse containers, and also gardens, and bird feeders.

The invention has been described in terms of its functional principles and several illustrative embodiments. Many variants of these embodiments will be obvious to those of skill in the art based on these descriptions. Therefore, it should be understood that the ensuing claims are intended to cover all changes and modifications of the illustrative embodiments that fall within the literal scope of the claims and all equivalents thereof.